Roma Tre is working on the preparation of a University CO₂ emissions record with a group of experts that was specifically created, using the Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Protocol as a reference. This protocol was developed through collaboration between the World Resources Institute (WRI) and the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD).
In 1997, the WRI and the WBCSD concluded the GHG Protocol with the aim of establishing an international standard for the accounting of corporate greenhouse gas emissions, facilitating their monitoring and reduction. The protocol includes several gases in addition to CO₂, such as methane, sulfur hexafluoride, hydrofluorocarbons, nitrous oxide, and perfluorocarbons.
The GHG Protocol identifies and classifies emissions into:
- Direct emissions (Scope 1): Produced directly by the organization using fossil fuels for heating, company vehicles, etc.
- Indirect emissions (Scope 2): Generated by purchased and consumed electricity.
- Other indirect emissions (Scope 3): Related to the supply chain, business travel, transportation of materials, etc.
For University emissions:
Scope 1:
In 2024, the University consumed 290,434 cubic meters of methane gas for heating. One cubic meter of methane corresponds to 0.668 kg. Therefore, the volume indicated corresponds to 194,009 kg of methane. To calculate CO₂ equivalent emissions, it is necessary to multiply the mass of the gas by its GWP (Global Warming Potential). For methane, the GWP is 28. Thus, 194,009 × 28 = 5,432.252 t CO₂e produced in 2024.
Scope 2:
Roma Tre purchases 100% of its electricity from certified renewable sources. Therefore, Scope 2 emissions are equal to 0.
Scope 3:
Roma Tre has carried out an initial monitoring of emissions related to University vehicles and to missions undertaken by faculty and technical-administrative staff, including the use of cars, trains, and airplanes.
- University vehicles: Among the vehicles owned by Roma Tre, only one is a hybrid gasoline vehicle. In 2024, this vehicle traveled 7,005 km. According to Quattroruote assessments, the model has a fuel consumption of 24.69 km/L. Considering the kilometers traveled and that 1 liter of gasoline corresponds to 2.4 kg of CO₂, the CO₂ emissions produced by the vehicle in 2024 amount to 0.7 t of CO₂.
- Car missions: For missions involving travel by car, in 2024 there were 522 missions for a total of 144,869 km traveled. Assuming an average of 10 km/L, this corresponds to approximately 14,400 liters, which multiplied by 2.4 kg of CO₂ per liter of gasoline result in 34.6 t of CO₂.
- Air travel missions: Missions involving air travel included 1,825 flights with an average of 2,062 km per flight, resulting in an estimated production in 2024 of approximately 505 t of CO₂.
- Train missions: Missions involving train travel included 584 trips for a total of 146,000 km. Considering that an average national train produces 40 g of CO₂ per km, emissions in 2024 amount to approximately 5.84 t of CO₂.
In total, Scope 3 CO₂ emissions amount to approximately 546.14 t of CO₂.